Seven overdue boaters located safe Tuesday near Behchoko (UPDATED)

Map courtesy of Google Maps

(UPDATE)

RCMP say now say seven adult boaters were successfully found Tuesday afternoon between Behchoko and Whati after they were reported overdue in Whati where they were to have arrived Monday night.

Police now state in a news release that five men and two women were located safe and sound.

Mounties say that as darkness was coming on Monday evening, the group of travellers decided, for their safety, to stay overnight at a cabin in the area of Marian Lake.

Their boat did not capsize as had been mentioned on social media.

“They were observed by air en route to Whati and confirmed safe by the Whati RCMP members at the boat launch when they arrived,” stated Julie Plourde, RCMP media relations officer.  “Whatì RCMP, with the assistance of Behchoko RCMP, deployed via helicopter to the Marian Lake area and began a search (Tuesday morning). At approximately 12:30 pm on Tuesday, they located the boat and all seven travellers, five men and two women. All members of the party arrived safe and sound in Whati Tuesday evening,”

The group was scheduled to arrive in Whatì Monday evening, but was reported overdue Tuesday morning when they failed to reach their destination.

“We are thankful to our partners and the fact that we have found the boaters in good spirits and uninjured”, states RCMP Sergeant Ken Beard.

Police have not said where the travellers are from.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

John McFadden
John has been in the broadcast journalism industry since the 1980s. He has been a reporter in Yellowknife since 2012 and joined CKLB in January of 2018. John covers the crime and court beat as well as reporting on other areas including politics, business, entertainment and sports. He won seven national community newspaper awards while he was a journalist with Northern News Services Limited (NNSL). John worked in Ontario before coming North including stints as a TV sportscaster in Peterborough and senior news writer for CBC and CTV in downtown Toronto.